The 10 Best Vodka Brands for Cocktails

1. Elit Vodka

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Recently named the world’s best vodka by the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI), Stolichnaya’s Elit Vodka is an ultra-lavish vodka that screams luxury; from the elegant bottle design to the velvety mouthfeel and touch of sweetness on the palate.

BTI described Elit by the following qualities: “Clear color. Aromas of sweet mascarpone, nut brittle, and flint with a satiny, crisp, dry light body and a smooth, buoyant lemon custard and a hint of herbs and pepper finish. An outstanding silky-soft vodka for martinis.” We agree.

Only the highest quality wheat, rye, and water are used for this Vodka made with traditional Russian distilling techniques. Stoli Elit is made using a traditional “freeze filtration” method inspired by the Russian practice of leaving casks out in the freezing conditions to age and mature during distillation.

The perfect vodka to put in a premium Vodka Martini or vodka soda, you’ll be hard-pressed to experience a smoother (or more dangerous) drinking experience.

2. Beluga Gold Line Vodka

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The Beluga Vodka Mariisnk Distillery was established in 1900 right in the heart of Siberia. It’s expertly crafted using a combination of modern technology and distilling experience, fine 100% non-GMO wheat, and pure artesian water from a quartz seam in the Siberian bedrock to create a truly fantastic expression.

Some ultra-premium vodka has a lovely subtle taste and the influence of hints of bold flavor, while others are made smooth without any fire or afterburn. Beluga Russian Vodka is one of the only vodkas that can lay claim to doing both, which runs counter to the claim you should “only drink cheap vodka because it’s a neutral spirit and the good liquor is no different.”

To truly enjoy the subtle flavor of Beluga vodka I recommend drinking it neat, while for those who prefer an ultra-premium vodka martini or fresh fruit mixed drink, this is a premier expression to use.

3. Reyka Vodka

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Reyka Vodka’s smooth taste is partly because it’s made from pure Icelandic resources, crafted in small batches using Iceland’s arctic spring water. From there it’s filtered through lava rocks then distilled in one of only six Copper Head Stills in the world at the company’s zero-emission geothermal distillery in Borgarnes, Iceland.

The distillation process is so unique that Reyka only produces 255 cases of the smoothest vodka per batch. It’s a quality vodka versatile for any situation but best served over ice or in premium vodka cocktails. If you are feeling a little worse for wear the next day, I recommend dropping some Reyka Vodka into a fresh and meaty Bloody Mary to put you right.

4. Smirnoff Vodka

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Smirnoff Vodka began production in 1864 and has grown into the most popular selling vodka brand worldwide, and even created the Moscow mule vodka cocktail recipe during World War II. The premium alcohol content in Smirnoff is created by triple distillation from a blend of different grains, then filtered 10 times through seven columns of charcoal.

This process results in an exceptionally pure-tasting smooth spirit that’s easy on the palate and light on afterburn, fitting well alongside spicy ginger beer or even dry ginger ale with ease.

Smirnoff remains a tried-and-true brand popular throughout pubs, clubs, and home bars everywhere. While there are numerous flavors ranging from peach, to lemon sorbet, and even watermelon, the traditional red label offers the best value for classic cocktails or a simple vodka orange juice.

5. Tito’s Handmade Vodka

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Tito’s Handmade Vodka is a cheap vodka that belies its price with brilliant production values, commitment to quality craft distillation, and a high-quality unique taste. It’s crafted in Austin, Texas, from a locally sourced corn base in small batches using old-fashioned pot stills like whisky or cognac.

Tito’s vodka embraces the burn of alcohol at the finish, however, it’s a clean heat complemented by flecks of black pepper rather than the nasty aftertaste of inferior quality booze. It’s certified gluten-free which suits even the vodka drinker with the strictest diet.

The emphasis on having a flavor profile makes Tito’s Handmade Vodka great for a traditional Moscow mule or mojito, neat or thrown into a vodka and cranberry juice, vodka tonic, or other mixed drinks.

6. Ciroc French Vanilla Vodka

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Ciroc is a grape-based, gluten-free vodka that drinks clean and crisp, with just the barest hint of fruit on the palate. The standard Ciroc vodka is distilled five times from mauzac blanc and ugni blanc grapes to create a spirit with a creamy mouthfeel, smooth taste, and zesty notes of fruit on the finish.

For flavored vodka, Ciroc offers many great expressions, however, I really like the gentle sweetness of their French vanilla bottle, which is great for use in cocktails or in a simple vodka soda over ice.

7. Skyy Vodka

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Born and bred in San Francisco, Skyy’s process of quadruple distillation and triple filtration creates a dry, medium bodied vodka with a smooth taste and creamy mouthfeel. On the tongue, it adds smatterings of anise and coriander with a slight tinge of pepper through the finish.

If the Skyy plain vodka doesn’t tickle your fancy, there are a range of flavored vodka choices; watermelon, blood orange, citrus, and an interesting pineapple expression you can add for different variations of a companionable mixed drink. Skyy is a cheap vodka offering tremendous value for the taste, so is perfect if you’re motoring through numerous poolside party cocktails, or vodka drink choices on a special occasion.

8. Chopin Potato Vodka

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Chopin Potato Vodka is the world’s most awarded potato vodka distilled at Polmos Siedlce distillery, Poland (My advice, if you are stumped for choice always choose a Polish vodka first!).

Its unique, creamy mouthfeel belies its crisp aftertaste and the notes of nuts, black pepper, and fragrant flower flavors give this Polish vodka a more full-bodied flavor than the other almost neutral vodka spirits in the market. Chopin, who also has rye vodka, wheat vodka, and a premium Family Reserve variety, makes for great standalone vodka that is ideal for use in a simple vodka martini, gimlet, or Moscow mule.

9. Belvedere Single Estate Lake Bartezek

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Polish vodka brand Belvedere and its grain-to-glass expressions are the new school of Polish vodka production, distilled with local personality and an emphasis on crafting distinct regional alcohol and bottling it. This Belvedere vodka does much of what whiskey and gin brands do – creating a tremendously innovative and unique drink that can be used in any situation based on production from one area.

From an ultra-chilled round of shots to start the party to the classic Belvedere vodka cocktail you can find at a gala event or opening, this is a great vodka with an interesting tale to tell for cocktail party guests or during an intimate dinner.

10. Effen Vodka

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The word Effen means “smooth” in Dutch. Rapper and actor 50 Cent struck up a partnership with Effen Vodka in 2014 and is laughing all the way to the bank. The popular tipple is a super-premium vodka made from French wheat, continuously distilled with a smooth, clean and crisp flavor.

Effen comes in original, black cherry, raspberry, cucumber, blood orange, and green apple flavors, which makes it a popular brand for different styles of mixed drinks and cocktail flavors.

Bonus: Noilly Prat Sweet Vermouth

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Almost an afterthought in many a gin martini or vodka cocktail, Noilly Prat is the first and most famous of all Vermouth expressions. It’s a straw-colored fortified wine created by French herbalist Joseph Noilly in 1813 and fundamental to many martinis. If sweet vermouth it’s not quite your style of mixer then there is an original and dry vermouth variation available to jazz up your cocktail mix.